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Australians Should Brace for Protracted Summer of Catastrophic Fires

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA - The World Meteorological Organization warns Australians should
   brace for a protracted summer of catastrophic bush fires, blaming
   climate change for record-breaking heat waves and persistent drought.

   Australia's summer fire season usually begins in late January or early
   February, but got off to an early and catastrophic start in September
   2019 in the states of Queensland and New South Wales. The bush fires
   have killed more than 22 people, destroyed hundreds of homes, burned
   large swathes of land, and caused massive devastation to wildlife,
   ecosystems and the environment.

   WMO spokeswoman Clare Nullis says naturally occurring climate
   variability is playing a role in these unprecedented events, adding
   that another driver is a phenomenon called the Indian Ocean dipole,
   which was very strong last year.

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